T20 World Cup 2021: Probable benchwarmers from each team

In today’s time, T20 cricket has become the need of the hour merely because of the upcoming 2021 World T20. Since the tournament was pushed back for a year, both the international and other global cricketing fixtures have got brimmed with the shorter format’s utter presence perhaps giving players a vital prep for the ICC event.

Such a plenitude of T20 cricket has also largely influenced the final squads of few teams, as either some of the veteran cricketers are vigorously making a comeback or have received a cease. Overall, most of the top teams are well stacked with their elite heroes and some might even further face an ultimate problem of plenty despite precision. 

Here are players who might be benched throughout the tournament:

1. India – Axar Patel

Post MSK Prasad’s selection tenure, Axar Patel has been seen as a potent backup of Ravindra Jadeja in all formats. Earlier, the all-rounder was infused into the red-ball squad for the home series against England, which later also helped him clinch a seat in the T20I team. Despite getting strongly dwelled in the selector’s radar, many still didn’t anticipate Axar’s selection for the upcoming World T20.

However, with the current selectors placing a strong emphasis on spin-aiding conditions, the all-rounder has not only been picked as a backup of Ravindra Jadeja but also as an extra spinner. As the likes of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are only all-rounders who will establish themselves in the playing XI, Axar’s presence is an added bolstering in case if one gets injured. 

Further, even when it comes to playing as a spinner, Axar’s left-arm spin surely receives a downsize as the likes of Rahul Chahar, Varun Chakravarthy, and veteran R Ashwin will be ahead of him when it comes to their selection. Hence, with a superfluity already being present both in the all-rounder and spin department, there are high chances that the 27-year old might only be a benchwarmer.

2. Australia – Josh Inglis

In recent times, Australia has struggled with their performances in T20Is. With a handicapped batting order, there has been an excessive juggling of players merely because of the elite ones being unavailable. In this process, some other handy names like Alex Carey and Moises Henriques have been tried but overall, apart from Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh, no one seemed to be that impressive for the 2021 World T20.

With Matthew Wade also being someone who has very much batted anywhere in the top seven in the current times, he seems to be the first choice wicketkeeper, along with Josh Inglis being the deputy. Also, with regards to Inglis’ selection, the wicketkeeper-batter was amongst the runs in the last BBL and has been in a fine touch while playing his T20 cricket in the UK. That’s why, despite being due to make his debut for Australia, the 26-year old has been selected for the mega event.

While Inglis possesses the same versatility and flexibility as that of Wade, sadly the cricketer will receive his debut cap when someone gets unavailable.

3. England – Sam Billings

Since the year 2015, Sam Billings has been extensively part of England’s white-ball setup and often gets infused when the likes of Buttler or Bairstow are unavailable. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, he can dwell himself anywhere in the top seven but predominately various teams have often also used him as a floater. 

However, yet again for the 2021 World T20, Billings will receive a cease as he will be found as a deputy of Jos Butter or either Bairstow. Although Ben Stokes’ absence might eventually pave a way for him, the likes of Liam Livingstone have certainly now seal that deal. 

To fill in a void of an all-rounder, maybe captain Morgan would use either Moeen Ali or Sam Curran or maybe even both in the lower-middle order. Billings will only get summoned if someone in the top seven dreadfully malfunctions.

4. New Zealand – Mark Chapman

With regards to their overall squad for the 2021 World T20, New Zealand exhibits both reliability and solidity in the playing XI. In terms of their top four, the team automatically picks the likes of Guptill, Tim Seifert, Williamson, and Glenn Phillips following which then players like Devon Conway Neesham and Santner come at the fore.

Even in terms of the backup for Jimmy Neesham, the side has an ideal replacement in the form of Daryl Mitchell. Now with such a meticulous balance and precision, there are high chances that Mark Chapman might eventually miss the entire tournament, especially considering that he is merely a middle-order batting reserve. 

Although, he does bowls some part-time left-arm orthodox spin, in totality the two established all-rounders along with Daryl Mitchell might entirely discard him from playing any games. Hence, unless someone in the middle-order receives a malfunction or gets injured, the 27-year old southpaw won’t come into the picture.

5. Pakistan – Mohammad Wasim Jr

With regards to their final squad of 2021 World T20, Pakistan had surprised everyone, especially when they snubbed Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed. In fact, by infusing some young guns in their squad, maybe the message is to play as bravely and boldly as possible. Also comprehensively, their squad looks well stacked despite a cease and perhaps exhibits a strong sense of variety.

However, when it comes to the selection of the 20-year old Mohammad Wasim Jr, the all-rounder might only play when the senior pros like Imad Wasim or Shadab Khan do sustain an injury or malfunction. Since these two senior all-rounders will also be forming a strong core in the lower middle-order, there barely seems to be any other spot left for the youngster. Maybe, even if Pakistan has to strengthen their bowling attack then someone like Mohammad Nawaz will be eventually picked over Wasim merely because of the spin-friendly conditions.

Hence, unless the frontline two all-rounders aren’t available or maybe someone in from the middle-order gets injured only then the young seam bowling all-rounder will be viewed for selection. 

6. South Africa – Wiaan Mulder

In recent times, the South African T20I team has been consistently playing a quality brand of cricket. The side has consecutively won their last three T20I series that too without both their veterans Imran Tahir and Faf Du Plessis. Despite the duo being available for the ICC event, the selectors have eventually snubbed them considering that the team is now in a settled mold.

Although the recent spree of wins might make the side look settled, they have only two proper all-rounders in their final squad. And out of the two, the choice of Dwaine Pretorius will take precedence as for a while now he has been the front-line all-rounder in the playing XI. His right-arm medium-pace has also kept him amongst the wickets which then eventually ceases the spot for the 23-year old Wiaan Mulder.

Further, if the conditions are spin-friendly, then South Africa might add an extra spinner in place of Pretorius or might discard one of its pacers in the playing XI. Overall, by being a seaming all-rounder, Mulder only potentially looks to grab a spot when Pretorius’ services are unavailable.

7. West Indies – Andre Fletcher

Although while many might perceive Andre Fletcher as a reserve opening batter, in reality, he has got picked merely because of his wicket-keeping ability. The 33-year old is considered as a backup keeper for Nicholas Pooran and possibly might even lose out to Evin Lewis when it comes to the chief opening selection. 

With regards to the opening combination of West Indies, Evin Lewis has been brimming with runs in the CPL and might be the first-choice opener alongside Lendl Simmons. Further, the No. 3 position has been long helmed by the Universal Boss following which then the likes of Hetmyer, Pooran, Russell and Pollard come at the fore. 

Possibly, even if Gayle or someone else in the middle-order starts to malfunction, then skipper Pollard already has a strong backup in the form of Roston Chase. Overall, with the West Indies team exhibiting a strong jam-packed batting order, chances are that Fletcher might only be a bench warmer in the tournament.

8. Afghanistan – Qais Ahmed

For the forthcoming World T20, the Afghans this time have a formidable blend of both youth and experience in their squad. The likes of Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan do bring a lot of experience, whereas players like Najibullah Zadaran are in their best T20 mold. Overall, their squad does carry a lot of depth, especially spinners.

However, someone like Qais Ahmed amongst all their spinners stands farthest in the pecking order, as the team will largely first cast its two world-class spinners (Rashid Khan and Mujeeb). If the wickets are pace-friendly. then maybe even Mujeeb might warm the benches as, despite his absence, the team will still have the overs of Nabi and Rashid. 

Overall, as the senior players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb do fetch the key for their establishments, sadly the 21-year old leg-spinner will have to make a prolonged wait in the mega event.